DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons fired coach John Kuester on Sunday, four days after Tom Gores completed an agreement to buy the team from Karen Davidson.

Kuester was 57-107 over two seasons with Detroit, which failed to make the post-season in consecutive years for the first time since missing the playoffs three straight times from 1993-95. This past season was a dreary one, with the proud franchise making more news for internal squabbling than any on-court accomplishments.

"Decisions like this are difficult to make," team president Joe Dumars said. "I want to thank John for his hard work and dedication to the organization over the last two years, however, at this time we have decided to make a change."

Detroit won its third championship in 2004, part of a six-year streak in which the team reached at least the conference finals, but the Pistons went 27-55 in 2009-10 and 30-52 last season.

Empty seats were common at home games, and that, coupled with feuding between coaches and players, added to a sense of gloom.